Legendary footballer from the United States analyzes the giants of Concacaf
Marcelo Balboa believes Mexico is going through a rough patch, but that the United States hasn't surpassed them. Balboa sees Canada as more polished.
There are fewer and fewer months left until the start of the 2026 World Cup. Mexico, the United States, and Canada will host this tournament. Criticism is mainly focused on the level of El Tri (Mexico's national team). The "giants of Concacaf" now know their opponents. Marcelo Balboa, former US defender, wasn't so pessimistic about the level of Javier Aguirre's team. Currently, Mexico has gone six consecutive matches without a win. Javier Aguirre's team drew 0-0 with Japan, drew 2-2 against South Korea, suffered a 0-4 defeat against Colombia, drew 1-1 with Ecuador, drew 0-0 with Uruguay, and lost 1-2 to Paraguay. Despite these recent results, Balboa believes the USMNT has not surpassed the Mexican national team. In the 2026 World Cup, Mexico was placed in Group A and will share this group with South Africa, South Korea, and the winner of UEFA Playoff D (Denmark, Czech Republic, Ireland, or North Macedonia). "No (the United States hasn't overtaken Mexico). Look, Mexico is going through a rough patch, and that happens to all teams. They overtook the United States in 2018, we didn't qualify for the World Cup, so that's something we'll always be discussing—who's number one in CONCACAF," Balboa said in statements published by the newspaper Record. Unlike Mexico, the United States has been improving its performance. After losing 0-2 to South Korea in September, the USMNT has accumulated 4 wins and 1 draw. Mauricio Pochettino has found the formula to continue fine-tuning details amidst victories and good performances.
The United States was placed in Group D. The USMNT will face Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of the UEFA C Playoff (Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo, or Romania).
Canada is the leader of Concacaf
Marcelo Balboa, a defender who played more than 120 matches for The USMNT believes that the Canadian national team is currently in better form. The Canadians are in Group B along with the winner of the UEFA A Playoff (Italy, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Northern Ireland), Qatar, and Switzerland. However,Balboa doesn't underestimate a change in mentality and level from the Mexican team, a squad with experience in these tournaments that will be looking to overcome its fateful fourth match in the World Cup. "For now, I think it's Canada because they're in good form, Mexico isn't. So, honestly, it's a team that's struggling. We know that when the World Cup comes around, we know that Mexico always puts on a good show," he concluded.